It's not the first time awkward — or plain wrong — words have been used by a political leader.

Last year, then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer appeared to mispronounce Mr Turnbull's name — more than once — during a press conference in which he stressed Donald Trump's "tremendous respect" for the Australian PM.

"He has ensured that while he has respect for the Australian people, respect for Prime Minister Trumble, that we do not pose a threat to the United States of America," Mr Spicer said, spawning a trending topic on Twitter and a "Malcolm Trumble" parody account.

A few months later, news agency Reuters called the Prime Minister "Brian Trumbull" in an article.